Disposable respirators must be replaced at the end of their service life. To determine when it is time to replace them, you’ll want to follow the three Ds: dirty, damaged, or difficult to breathe through. If it is dirty, or caked in dust and debris, you should replace it with a new respirator. If it is damaged by a tear, a hole in the filter media, or a broken strap, throw it out. If it becomes difficult to breathe through as particles are collected by the filter media, it’s time for a new respirator. There isn’t any time limit on how long disposable respirators last - unless they are being used in oily mist environments. Then, an R-Series has a time limit of 8 hours, and a P-Series has a time limit of 40 hours or 30 days, whichever occurs first. Of course, throw it out if one of the three Ds is met before that.
Most disposable respirators also have a limited shelf life. If a disposable respirator has not been used within its allotted shelf life, it should be discarded. The longer a disposable respirator is stored beyond its shelf life, or stored outside the recommended conditions, the less likely it is to perform at its full potential. Check for the use-by-date on the packaging to determine shelf life. Reusable 3M™ respirator cartridges and filters need to be replaced at the end of their service life. For particulate filters, follow the three Ds just like with disposable respirators. The service life of gas and vapor cartridges, however, is more complicated and is affected by many factors. This includes the contaminant, its concentration, your breathing rate, the humidity level, the temperature, and other use conditions. Because of this, a change schedule must be established. You can establish this by using the 3M™ Service Life Calculator which helps you explore cartridges and select the one that is right for you.
3 окт 2024
